Page 22 of The Duke's Surprise Heir

Edward stood there, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched. When Kyle was in the bassinet, he took Macie’s arm and led her into the next room. “Okay, talk to me Macie. What did I do wrong?”

For a long moment, she just stood there, looking at him. When she looked into his eyes, she knew that he wasn’t going to drop the subject. “I just…,” she paused, trying to understand why she’d gotten so sad all of a sudden.

“You missed something important in Kyle’s life,” he filled in. “You were eager to get back to work, but now you missed something important.”

She stared up at him, stunned that he was so perceptive. “Yeah. That’s exactly it.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping his free arm around her.

“Also, it really irritates me that everything with you and Kyle seems so effortless! I struggled every damn day when I brought him home from the hospital!” she raged, pulling away from him and putting several feet of space between them. “I cried almost every day from exhaustion and frustration, terrified that I was going to kill my baby!” She sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek. “And yet, I bring this helpless little boy to your home and you take him into your arms and everything just…works! You haven’t struggled at all! It’s just not fair!”

He grimaced. “Did I mention that he peed on me?” he asked. “Twice?”

“He…did?” Macie asked, gazing up at him with hope in her eyes.

“Yep. It took two diaper changes this morning before I figured out to put something over his…uh…private parts.” He tilted his head towards the shirt still on the floor. “That’s the third shirt today.”

“Yes!” she gasped. “Yes, that definitely makes me feel better!”

“Plus, I didn’t have any problems bathing Kyle because you were right here, showing me what to do.” He moved closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You’re there for us, Macie. If I had to figure out all of the right things to do and not do, on my own, I’d be a basket case by now. Also, remember that Ms. Kealy purchased everything I might need for Kyle. She’s on her seventh grandchild, so she knew that I’d need a small bath tub, tiny wash cloths, and gentle soap. If she hadn’t done that for me, I don’t think I could have bathed Kyle. And if it weren’t for you saying that it was bath time, I wouldn’t have thought to give him one. He’s a tiny baby. How dirty can he get?”

Macie sniffed and leaned against him, absorbing the warmth and security of his gentle embrace. “Thank you,” she whispered, as her tears disappeared. She pulled away and shook her head. “Thank you for that. I just…sometimes, the hormones get the best of me.”

Edward pulled back, staring at her as if she’d just lost her head. “What just happened?” he asked, almost nervous now.

Macie laughed and wiped her tears again. “Seriously, the post pregnancy hormones make me nuts. You should have seen me right after I came home from the hospital. I was a wreck!”

He pulled her close again so her cheek rested against his chest. “What can I do to help, Macie?” he asked, sincerity making his voice huskier.

Macie leaned into him, allowing her arms to sneak around his waist. “You’re doing it,” she whispered. “I haven’t felt safe in weeks, Edward.” She squeezed her eyes closed, hugging him tightly. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to be here, to know that Kyle is safe.”

“Always, Macie!” he whispered, leaning his head against the top of her head. “I wish you’d contacted me when all of this mess started, but,” he sighed and looked to the bassinet where their tiny son was sound asleep. “I understand why you didn’t feel that you could.”

“Thank you,” she said and tilted her head back. “I appreciate your understanding.”

Pulling back, Macie became aware of the pulsing energy between them.

“We should…?”

“Yeah,” he replied, but didn’t nod his head. They stared at each other, feeling the throbbing awareness between them. Neither moved. Neither stepped away, but nor did they come closer.

“We’re not doing this again,” Macie whispered, but her traitorous hand, which had been resting around his waist, moved slightly. The shock of her fingers sliding over his back sent ripples of desire between them. The throbbing awareness burned hotter still as Macie’s breath caught in her lungs.

She held her breath, praying Edward would kiss her. When he didn’t move, not even to breathe, she knew that he was waiting. Waiting for her to decide.

“Will you…kiss me?” she whispered, praying he wouldn’t reject her.

There was a low, almost savage, growl. And then Edward crushed her against him, kissing her without restrain. She felt his hand dive into her hair, twisting the strands so that he could tilt her head back as he deepened the kiss.

Macie hadn’t realized how badly she needed his kiss, his touch, until he was kissing her. She was hyper aware of every inch of him against her. His hard chest pressed against her breasts, making her nipples tingle and tighten.

His hand slipped underneath her sweater and the sensation made her gasp and arch against him. “Oh, Edward!” she hissed, her hand moving from his waist to his arm. “Do that again!”

Edward couldn’t believe that she was here in his arms. How many nights had he lain in bed thinking about her? Too often. But the reality was a hell of a lot better than his fantasies! Pulling her higher up against him, he groaned as he felt her soft, full breasts against his chest. “You’re so damn beautiful, Macie!”

“Please touch me, Edward!” she cried out, rubbing against him.

He nearly lost his mind when she did that. Reaching down lower, he picked her up by the backs of her thighs. Immediately, she wrapped her legs around his waist. Walking towards his bedroom was a challenge since every step meant that her hot core pressed against his aching erection. He needed her naked. Correction, he needed to be inside her!

---